Networking is one of the strongest tools job seekers can use to find a job that helps them reach their career goals. While the rise of the internet has made it easier to stay in touch with far-flung friends and family, it has also divided our attention to maintaining relationships online and maintaining relationships in person.
Here’s how to leverage the power of social media to improve both distant and in-person relationships, so you can stay connected to the legal world and improve your chances of landing your dream job.
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Give Your Social Media a Makeover
Your LinkedIn and other social media profiles can help you land a job, but only if they present you as the type of professional you want to be. Use social media site tools like privacy settings and public view to see your profile the way a recruiter or hiring manager will see it and clean up anything that shouldn’t be public.
When your social media profile reflects your professional strengths, it will attract the attention of others who share those strengths or who know which employers need the skills you possess.
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Spend Time With Fellow Professionals Online
LinkedIn offers a number of ways to connect with fellow professionals, including forums and the ability to run your own blog from inside the site itself. Add these groups and tools to your regular social media consumption, and you’ll gain an immediate platform through which to make connections and demonstrate your strengths.
If you spend a lot of time on your phone or other mobile devices, check out apps like Shapr, which connect you to professionals in your local geographic area for mentorship, advice and more.
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Commit to An In-Person Connection Once a Week
At least once a week, schedule a face-to-face session with one person in your professional network. For instance, ask a colleague out for coffee or take a lunchtime walk with your mentor.
When you make this event part of your routine, it’s easier to build and maintain those face to face connections. You’ll also find yourself reaching out to people you may not have spoken with in a while.
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Work With a Recruiter
Finally, build an in-person relationship with a staffing partner. Your recruiter can help you connect with law firms and legal departments in your area and introduce you to local professionals who can strengthen your network.
Work With Kent Legal
At Kent Legal, our recruiters help legal support professionals connect with the best organizations and jobs in the greater Toronto area’s legal industry. Contact us today to learn more.